This is so goofy--- Not to say I'm rooting for osteopenia, but, my Oncologist is able to give me Zometa based on that Dx and the insurance pays........ And that or osteoporosis is the only way my insurance and most others will pay without Metastatic breast cancer.
So I'm waiting three weeks for this appointment which the radiologist personally
calls me to confirm.
I get a bad stomach the night before (am already taking Protonix), and without thinking I pop a Rolaids without thinking..........
Here I don't take the Calcium supplement and pop a Rolaids...........
Now I have to wait another three weeks...........Urrrrgh

Okay, Im a little slow these days.....what do rolaids have to do with no dexascan?

Rolaids contains Calcium carbonate. They need you to discontinue any pill containing Calcium 24 to 48 hours before the test because it can interfere with the test's accuracy. You can eat and drink normally.
"Calcium supplements may not be totally absorbed if taken close to the time of the DEXA scan. The calcium may then overlie the lower spine and falsely increase the density in this region."


"Also if you have had another x-ray with contrast media in the last 7 days (some examples: barium enema, upper GI , some CAT scans] or if you have had a nuclear scan (including bone scan and thyroid study) in the last 7 days, you should not have this test."

Wow - I am sooooooooooooo glad I saw this! Thanks! In an hour I am having a bone scan w/contrast and then an x-ray. I have a Dexa scheduled for tomorrow. Which of course - I will now change it to 3 weeks from now. I'm running late - but I found out some interesting info re: Calcium - will post about it later - when I get back home.

I have this "thing" about calcium supplements... I've just heard/read so much conflicting info about them. I have Osteoporosis and arthritis - so it's crucial for me to get as much calcium as possible... but I'm so leary of it all... But anywho... I found a product called Osteophase. Their site says that calcium supplements INCREASE the amount of calcium in your body. But Osteophase doesn't increase it. It helps to restore the calcium that's naturally in our bodies. This makes sense... check it out. (I will ask my Dr about it too.)

http://www.puretango.com/osteophase.html

Thanks for the info. I've never heard this, nor have I been told to not take calcium before dexa. I'm having one sometime soon.
Shirley